File bos



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M; J. WINE.

FILE BOX.

No. 290,615. Patented Dec. 18, 1883.

Fly 1,

Fi 2 F g I Witneaaes Inventor.-

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. J. WINE.

FILE BOX.

No.2 9-O 615. Y Patented-Dec. 18,1883.

'NITED STATES PATENT Erica.

FILE

-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 290,615, dated December 18, 1883. Application filed April 20, 1883. (N0 model.)

To 'aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, MILETUs J. WINE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at WVashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper-Holders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in holders for paper, files, documents, &c., especially of that class known as the Duryee file-box and the objects of the present in vention are to improve the construction of the same, to readily and quickly adjust the parts for union with little or no fitting, and to .provide the follower with a cross-bar, preferably weighted and formedwith projections to engage automatically the notches of the side bars and form a lock.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of my improved paper-file. Fig. 2 is a rear View of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear View of a portion of the end board, with one of the side pieces in position. Fig. 4is aview in perspective, showing the base and end boards with one of the slotted side pieces, to show more fully the mode of connecting the parts without special fitting. Fig. 5 is a view of the weighted cross-bar, and Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken through the line a; w of Fig. 5.

I11 the drawings, A represents the baseboard, and B the end board, united at their meeting ends in the usual manner, and are further connected, so as to be sustained in a relative position to each other, by the side pieces, 0 O, as shown in the drawings. The side pieces, C, are formed with combined longitudinal and vertical slots, the lower longitudinal portion of the slots being provided with ratchet-teeth or notches b, for the purpose hereinafter stated, and also formed with another bar, 0, arranged at a dis tance of about one inch (more or less) below the bar, with the ratchet-teeth to provide additional vertical side surface to prevent sidewise displacement of the papers, &c., in the holder. The bar with the ratchet-teeth and the longitudinal bar 0 below of each side piece are preferably connected by the lattice-work, which gives additional strength and ornamentation to 'the side pieces. These side pieces are also formed at the ends with flanges d d, extending inward, and arranged atright angles to the body or sides of the pieces to receive the securing screws or rivets. The flange cl at the inner end of the side piece for attachment to the end board is extended downward, as indicated by the letter 6, so as to be on the same horizontal line with the base of the rear flanges, so that in fitting the side piece to the base and end boards the base of the inner flange, as well as the rear flange, will rest on the pieces with the flanges, they can be readily and quickly adjusted and secured to the bottom and end boards without any or very little fitting, on account of the ends registering on the bottom or base boardfwhich gives the direct horizontal line for adjustment, thus saving time in putting the parts together.

The letter D (see Fig. 5) represents a crossbar to engage and co-operate with the ratchetteethof the side pieces of the holder. This crossbar is provided near each end with downward knife-edged projections or extensions 71-, and the extreme ends with disks or buttons '5, and at the central portion with an arm or finger-lever, k, preferably weighted, to retain the knife-edged projection of the cross-bar in contact with the notches or ratchet-teeth of the side pieces. This cross-bar as constructed is attached to the follower E by means of staples, hinges, or other fastening means, n, in such a manner as to permit of a slight vertical movement and an oscillating motion to the crossbar. r

The parts of the holder being brought together and properly adjusted, the operation is as follows: The finger-lever of the cross-bar is elevated to raise the knife-edged projections from the ratchet-teeth of the side pieces, and by withdrawing the cross-bar, with its attached follower, rearward a short distance a space will be formed for the insertion of papers or the like between the end board and the follower; or, if desired, the cross-bar, with the attached follower, can be withdrawn entirely back, so that the cross-bar can fall into the vertical slot and there rest, with the follower tilted at an angle. After the papers, documents, &c.,have been inserted and arranged in the holder, the

base-board. By this construction of the side' cross-bar is again elevated and moved forward with the follower until it (the follower) is arrested by coming in contact with the papers, when, by a slight pressure, the desired compression on the papers is secured. Then, by dropping the lever of the cross-bar, the knifeedged projections will engage with a set of the ratchet-teeth of the opposite side pieces, and thereby automatically lock the follower against the papers; also, after the papers have been inserted, by tilting the holder to send it home into the cell in the case, the follower, with the cross-bar, will automatically move forward by its own weight, and the weighted lever of the crossbar will automatically cause the knifeedged projections on the crossbar to engage with the ratchet-teeth of the side pieces, and forma lock, and thus fasten the papers in position. The finger-lever of the cross-bar is sufficiently weighted to cause it to drop,and thereby effectually lock the follower against displacement. To open the file and release the papers, the arm of the cross-bar isli fted, which releases the knife-edged projections from engagement with the ratchet-teeth, and as soon as thus released the pressure or elasticity of the contents of the file force the follower back, or it may be drawn back by the arm of the cross-bar, to such a distance as affords ready and convenient access to the file. The cross-bar may be provided at the inner ends of the extensions with rings, so as to form a collar to sustain the direct transverse position of the cross-bar between the side pieces; and in some cases both outer and inner rings may be formed at the edge of the extensions to produce the result herein stated.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

As an improved article of manufacture, the holder for papers, 810., consisting of the baseboard, end board, slotted side piece with end flanges, d e, the follower, and weighted crossbar, said parts being combined and organized as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MILETUS J. \VINE.

Vitnesses:

W. C. DUVALL, D. D. KANE. 

